The &#34;ickistick&#34; insect/debris retriever

ABSTRACT

The cleaning applicator ( 1 ) assembled to the main adapter body ( 2 ), for use in cleaning applications. The cleaning applicator ( 1 ) is restrained by a fitting within the main adapter body ( 2 ) and the clamp force from the restraining clamp ( 3 ). The clamping process holds the cleaning applicator ( 1 ) in place for operation. 
     The adhesive tape and/or foreign substrate ( 4 ) wrapped around the outside of the cleaning applicator ( 1 ), and held into position by the force of the restraining clamp ( 3 ) spring-loaded in the assembly with the main adapter body ( 2 ). The entire assembled unit can be assembled to a handle/pole ( 6 ) for extended reach applications. 
     An insect or foreign debris ( 5 ) can be picked up by the adhesive tape and/or foreign substrate ( 4 ). This material can then be removed from the assembled unit and disposed of.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several types of insect retrieval devices are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,638 to Stevenson an adhesive-backed tarp product applied to a stationary position for catching insects that may crawl into its territory.

Also U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,002 to Holder a sanitary folding paper bug catcher with an adhesive backing not incorporated into a clamping device. The product is a pre-made custom adhesive product.

Vacuum tube devices are known such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,858 to Kahle a tube with an open front and a piston therein. The piston release creates a vacuum force to capture the insect. Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,133 to Burzdak and Edwards, a spring-loaded bug catcher with a hollow tube assembly. It has a scoop mechanisim for capture of the insect and release or disposal there of.

Scissors-type devices and clamping action assemblies are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,586 to Burzdak, a bug catcher with a scissors-type apparatus. It has a spatula and cup type design for catching an insect to be released alive outdoors. Also U.S. Pat. No. 5.027,549 to Person, an insect capturing device with a scissors-type handle system. It has two cups at the trap end to capture the insect to release alive outdoors.

Also known is U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,262 to Walkemeyer, a hand-held device for catching and trapping insects. It has a clamping device with no adhesive-backed product for disposal. It uses the clamp action to catch insects. Also U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,174 to Wagner, a sanitary bug catcher with a handle and paddle device with spikes on the paddle, for slapping the insect to catch it. No adhesive backing used for disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “ickistick” is a mechanical assembled product holding a variety of adapters for several types of cleaning applications. The cleaning applicators used for cleaning and debris pick-up are assembled into a main clamping adapter assembled onto an extension pole for high-level and difficult-to-reach surfaces.

This product fulfills the consumer needs for cleaning and debris pick-up in high elevated applications for tasks such as bug-catching, cob-web/dust cleaning, ceiling fan cleaning, and many other cleaning applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure One provides the side and bottom views filly assembled for use.

Figure Two provides a perspective view of the complete assembly, assembled to a handle/pole, with an exploded view of the adhesive tape to be assembled to the unit, and an illustration of an insect to be captured by the final assembled product in use.

THE “ICKISTICK” PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

In Figure One and Figure Two, the cleaning applicators (1) are assembled to the main adapter body (2), for use in designated cleaning applications. The cleaning applicator (1) is restrained by a fitting within the main adapter body (2) and the clamp force from the restraining clamp (3). The clamping process holds the cleaning applicator (1) in place for operation, and also may be used with a substrate as a secondary cleaning application.

Secondary cleaning applicators may include a variety of substrates and adhesive-backed tape-strip applicators for adhesion to insects and other foreign invasive material/objects.

The primary cleaning applicator (1) is reusable and may be washed to be cleaned for reuse. This component may be manufactured from a variety of foam/sponge type materials typical in the industry for cleaning applications. There is a mechanical designed feature integrated within the cleaning applicator (1) to be assembled to the main adapter body (2) that is held into position then reinforced with the clamp force from the restraining clamp (3), for restraint into the adapter assembly during cleaning applications.

The main adapter body (2) and the restraining clamp (3) may be manufactured from a variety of polymer based materials that are injection-molded then assembled together for the final assembly.

The adhesive tape and/or foreign substrate (4) is wrapped around the outside of the cleaning applicator (1), and held into position by the force of the restraining clamp (3) spring-loaded in the assembly with the main adapter body (2). The entire assembled unit can be assembled to a handle/pole (6) for extended reach applications.

An insect or foreign debris (5) can be picked up by the adhesive tape and/or foreign substrate (4). This material can then be removed from the assembled unit and disposed of. 

1. A cleaning applicator assembly compromising of: a) A main adapter body assembly defining: i. A housing attached to an extension handle/pole for difficult to reach applications, ii. A containment within the housing that permits the cleaning applicator to be restrained within the housing for operational use, and iii. A mechanical feature allowing a clamping device to be assembled to the housing, for a force load on the cleaning applicator for restraint during operational use. b) A clamping device assembled to the main adapter housing including: i. A clamping component with an applicator containment feature, ii. An axial mechanism for pivotal rotation of the clamp, providing tangential force to the cleaning applicator for restraint, iii. A spring-loaded feature to provide axial force to the pivoting clamp mechanism, and iv. An extended handle feature within the clamp to provide manual force to the clamp to open and close the device during axial and tangential force loads.
 2. The cleaning applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the soft cleaning applicator is restrained within the main adapter housing assembly for operational use in cleaning applications.
 3. The cleaning applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning applicator may use a foreign substrate attached to the outside of the applicator and contained within the clamping device for: a) Picking up dust and foreign debris on a substrate, and b) Picking up foreign matter (dust, debris, insects, etc.) with an adhesive based material.
 4. The cleaning applicator assembly according to claim 3, that allows a foreign substrate to be attached to the outside of the applicator, defined as: a) A foreign substrate for cleaning applications that is wrapped around the outside of the applicator, and i. Held into position by the restraining force of the clamping device, ii. Used for picking up dust and foreign debris, and iii. Removed from the applicator and disposed of. b) An adhesive based material/substrate for collection of foreign matter (dust, debris, insects, etc.) wrapped around the outside of the applicator, and i. Held into position by the restraining force of the clamping device, ii. Used for picking up dust and foreign debris, and iii. Removed from the applicator and disposed of. 